What was the starting point for your career? How did it all start?
My brother and I had older sisters, so we got into pop & rock at a very early age, and it became our main interest. We were also lucky to have very supportive parents, who helped us get instruments and music lessons. As we went to boarding school, we weren’t able yo form a proper band, so it was just the two of us. The first time we played in public, I was 16 and he was 14. We had recorded some songs with him playing drums and me on rhythm guitar. Then at the gig we played lead guitar, bass & vocals along with the recording. It got the job done, but we couldn’t wait to get a band together after that!
Were there any bumps in the road? What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
Oh yes, bumps in the road and challenges all the way! Equipment breaking down, vehicles breaking down, failed auditions, and many more! Everything was a learning experience. There was no blueprint of how to do things, so we just picked it up on the way. We drove around to local venues to talk our way into gigs. Then, the more we did, the word started to get around, and that lead to more gigs. Eventually we were playing regularly all over the country. One Sunday, our drummer, Laurie, had broken all his sticks over the previous few gigs, and the music shops weren’t open on Sundays. We found some strips of bamboo in a shed behind the venue, and cut them into drum-stick size pieces. They disintegrated fairly quickly, but we got through the gig!
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
Too many to single out just one, like touring the world and having hits with Icehouse, co-writing John Farnham’s hit song You’re The Voice, and recording albums with Factory, the band my brother & I and two friends formed when we were teenagers, and re-formed in 2015.
How would you describe the music you typically create?
It’s a mixture of influences from ‘70s & ‘80s Classic Rock, bands like The Who, Genesis, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, Yes, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, and many more.
What is your creative process?
Sometimes I stumble on something that sounds interesting when I’m noodling on an instrument, or sometimes a melody, or words I read or hear will spark an idea. Once I get started, I just hammer away at it till it sounds right.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Pay the artists a fair amount for streaming their songs. Right now the payments are negligible, and it’s impossible for independent artists to even cover the costs of recording, let alone make a living.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would it be?
Play music you believe in, and don’t give up when things don’t go smoothly.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
Perhaps supporting David Bowie on the Serious Moonlight Tour with Icehouse, or playing with Icehouse for Prince Charles & Lady Diana. Otherwise, any Factory gig!
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
I trained as a teacher of English Literature, so I suppose I’d be doing that.
What is new with the band at the moment? What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
We have a new album out in February, called Back In The Time Machine, on Rock Avenue Records USA. The first single, Angel From The Sky, was released in October, and has been getting a lot of radio plays all over the world. The follow-up single, Scarlet Lady, will be out in January, so right now we’re doing promo for the releases. We have some UK gigs booked in the summer. Really looking forward to them!
